Kazakh President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on Thursday ordered that a special team be created to investigate the mounting unrest rocking the Central Asian country and hold all perpetrators accountable for their violent acts.
According to a statement released on the presidential website, Tokayev gave a number of urgent instructions to the government and the armed forces.
They include stabilizing public transport, supporting businesses and increasing combat readiness, as protests continue in many parts of the country.
The stable operation of banks and other financial institutions should be restored after the tension eases, the president said.
He also gave instructions to protect diplomatic missions, foreign investment and companies in Kazakhstan.
The country is seeing escalating protests sparked by dissatisfaction over surging fuel prices in recent days, with thousands of protesters going to the streets and having clashes with police and armed forces.
Videos posted online showed people storming the main government building in Almaty, the country’s largest city, setting police vehicles on fire, and attacking the regional branch of the ruling Nur Otan party.
The mounting unrest prompted the Kazakh government to seek help from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has decided to deploy peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan. (Xinhua/NAN)
